Many things would not happen if we were blindfolded.
The trouble he had been trying to avoid barged into Li Qinzai's life one day.
Under the conscription order of the imperial court, the young farmers who could be seen around them had to leave their hometowns and use their blood, sweat and hard work to satisfy the emperor's vanity.
Li Qinzai was really disgusted this time.
Disgust turned against him, and Li Qinzai also knew very well that consecrating Mount Tai was what Li Zhi was determined to do. From the time Empress Wu made the suggestion, there was inexplicable news in Chang'an City.
Whatever the petitions of the people, or the praise of hundreds of officials, once public opinion is created, people all over the world will unconsciously agree with it. This is actually the people's heart, which is simple and impulsive, and can be easily fooled.
The groundwork has been laid in advance, public opinion has been created, and the national treasury will not hesitate to be in debt for a few more years.
Li Zhi's determination to grant Zen status was extremely firm, and Li Qinzai did not have the courage to openly oppose it.
The next day, the Weinan County Magistrate came to Ganjingzhuang in person and stood respectfully outside the gate of the Li family courtyard, asking to see Li Qinzai.
Li Qinzai met the county magistrate in the side hall.
The county magistrate's surname is Ma, and he took office as Weinan County Magistrate less than a year ago. When he first took office last summer, Magistrate Ma paid him a visit at his house to ask for convenience.
Although Li Qinzai was already a county magistrate, he still wanted to give full respect to the local snakes, so he also hosted a banquet for Magistrate Ma last year. The guests and hosts had a great time and were very fond of each other.
However, this time when Li Qinzai saw him, he didn't have a good expression.
Magistrate Ma saluted as he entered the door. When he straightened up, he suddenly noticed that the Marquis of Li County had a frosty complexion and was cold and indifferent.
Magistrate Ma's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he immediately began to examine himself.
Didn’t my salute just now seem inappropriate? Didn’t my expression look attentive enough? Did I offend this guy?
After much deliberation, Magistrate Ma really didn't know why the Marquis of Li County scorned him as soon as they met, and he became increasingly frightened and uneasy.
"After not seeing the Marquis of Li County for a long time, I found that the Marquis of Li County was becoming more and more handsome, graceful, and as beautiful as jade. I was filled with admiration for him."
Li Qinzai raised his eyebrows: "Magistrate Ma used the term 'beautiful as jade' to describe me? Have you read the book?"
Magistrate Ma became even more astonished: "Marquis Li, in ancient terms, 'beauty' refers to men. Is it wrong for me to be a lower official?"
This time it was Li Qinzai's turn to be stunned. He forgot to show his face and looked at him blankly with wide eyes.
Seeing Li Qinzai's expression, Magistrate Ma had no choice but to explain: "'Beauty' refers to a beautiful man with handsome appearance and outstanding moral ability. "Poetry" says, "His son is as beautiful as jade." "Li Sao" also says
, 'Only the scattered vegetation is afraid of the beauty's twilight years'..."
Seeing that Li Qinzai's expression gradually became complicated, Magistrate Ma cautiously said: "The lower official used the word 'beauty' to describe Li Xianhou's handsomeness and elegance. There was no disrespect at all. It was a compliment from the bottom of his heart."
Li Qinzai was not embarrassed at all, and took advantage of the opportunity to hold up an orchid finger: "So, I am indeed a beauty that I have pity for. Magistrate Ma said it well... don't say it again next time."
Magistrate Ma didn't know what he meant, but he still agreed.
Then Magistrate Ma said cautiously: "I see that there is a gloomy look on Li County Marquis' eyebrows, and he seems to be in a bad mood. I wonder who has offended you? If it is an internal matter under my jurisdiction, I am willing to share the worries of Li County Marquis.
"
Li Qinzai did not answer, but asked: "Magistrate Ma is here in person today, is there anything wrong?"
Magistrate Ma smiled and said: "Yes, in the past two days, the county government officials have gathered the number of young men in every village and village under their jurisdiction. There are more than 200 young villagers in Ganjing Village. The Marquis of Li County must know that His Majesty wants to enshrine Mount Tai.
, the imperial court issued an order to sign off the strong men for corvée service, and your village will dispatch one hundred and twenty-two strong men."
"Xiaguan came here today to inform Hou Tong of Li County that after the spring planting, the strong men in your village will be on the road and may be sent to Puzhou two hundred miles away. Someone from the Ministry of Industry said
, His Majesty will probably build a palace near Puzhou during his visit to the Zen state."
Although he knew the purpose of Magistrate Ma's visit today, Li Qinzai's face still darkened after he said those words. It was not directed at Magistrate Ma, as he knew that Magistrate Ma had done nothing wrong.
"My banker cannot transfer the bankers." Li Qinzai said flatly.
Magistrate Ma was stunned and asked, "Why, why?"
Li Qinzai said slowly: "Do you know about the new grain seeds? Your Majesty has sent thousands of guards to station around my village. Not only that, more than 200 farmers in my village also have to take care of the new grains day and night. The whole village is full of thousands of guards.
Hundreds of people serve it as their ancestor, no matter who is transferred away."
County magistrate Ma was shocked and said: "This, this... the lower-level officials really have no way to make the decision. The number of corvees in each village was sent by the governor's office. Officials from the Ministry of Works made the unification. No one in each prefecture or county can be left behind.
Otherwise, I will ask the chief official."
"Your Majesty does not dare to embarrass Li County Marquis, but you should consider it for your sake. One hundred and twenty-two villagers in your village have been registered in the governor's office and cannot be changed. Otherwise, if the superiors are responsible for the crime, I will not be able to do anything."
A good ending will inevitably involve the Marquis of Li County."
Li Qinzai snorted and said: "I said I can't be transferred, but I can't be transferred. How about you let the guards take me to the county jail to scare the monkeys?"
Magistrate Ma was sweating coldly and said with a smile: "Homo Mo of Li County insulted himself, how could you be a chicken..."
Li Qinzai's expression froze. Damn it, he couldn't tell that this guy's mouth was also mean.
Patting Magistrate Ma on the shoulder, Li Qinzai said sincerely and sincerely: "Rules are made by people and can be changed by people. Magistrate Ma, don't be too rigid as an official. You can be flexible when you need to be flexible. What do you think?"
?”
Magistrate Ma shook his head categorically: "I can't change my mind. The governor's office has come to ask for people. If there is less than one person handed over by me, I will be severely punished. I ask Marquis Li to understand my difficulties."
Li Qinzai was silent for a moment, and then said: "How about giving me money in exchange? You give me a price, how much the labor of each farmer in my family is worth, I give you the money, and you exempt them from the corvee."
Magistrate Ma's face became even more ugly: "Marquis Li, please stop making trouble. This is not a matter of money at all. His Majesty has granted you the title of "Monkey King". Who in the world dares to use money for labor? If this happens, both you and me will be
A great sin."
Magistrate Ma paused and then said: "Marquis Li, I'd like to ask you, what is your reason? Why don't you want to remove the bankers?"
"The imperial court is recruiting civilian men. They are just working hard to build palaces. They are not going to go to the battlefield. There will be no casualties at all. Why do you have to quarrel with the imperial court over this matter?"
Li Qinzai leaned back and showed a domineering expression: "It's not for any reason. I just feel unhappy and want to cause some trouble, isn't that okay?"
Magistrate Ma smiled bitterly and said, "Okay, but I'm just a poor magistrate. If you want to cause trouble, can you please stop involving me? I can't bear it."
Just as Li Qinzai was about to continue bargaining with him, Manager Song hurried into the side hall and saluted, "Fifth Young Master, His Royal Highness Prince Teng is coming outside."
Li Qinzai was stunned for a moment, then stood up and said in surprise: "I'm a big grievance...ah, no, His Highness Prince Teng is here? Welcome him quickly, and greet him with high standards!"